Qantas Awards Active Frequent Flyers

23rd Nov 2015

Australian airline Qantas and health insurer nib have unveiled today a new product that will reward frequent flyer members with extra points for being active.

The new product, called Qantas Assure, will award frequent flyers not only for paying their bills on time, but also when they meet a target through their wellness app synced with their mobile or wearable.

Qantas did not reveal the rates it will use (it will do so in the first quarter of 2016), but CEO Alan Joyce said the chance to earn points for paying health insurance policy and simply walking and running will be "significant". Later on, he said, members will be able to earn points for other activities, and not just walking/running.

Chief executive for Qantas Loyalty Lesley Grant explained that its members basically "pushed" the idea of Qantas Assure by saying they would like to be rewarded for their active lifestyles. Grant said:

"They also want to feel more engaged in the health insurance experience rather than just paying their monthly premium or making a claim. When members choose to combine the Qantas points they can earn from literally walking around the block with all of the other ways to earn, it becomes a very powerful proposition."

Managing Director of health insurance company nib Mark Fitzgibbon said this partnership is one of the most innovative ever offered in the domestic private health insurance market.

"Qantas Assure's ability to meaningfully reward customers for leading a more active lifestyle not only strengthens the relationship Qantas has with its members, but has the potential to improve their health and wellbeing, and with that lower health care costs."

Recently, the Australian carrier was dealt a blow when Woolworths decided to drop the Australian airline from its loyalty programme ? Woolworths Everyday Rewards. In fact, half of the program's members never linked their card to the carrier's frequent flyer account.